Icelandic Horse Riding and Whale Watching Tour from Reykjavik

Two wild Iceland memories in one tidy day. This combo pairs an Icelandic horse ride in lava and moorland with a speed-boat whale search in Faxaflói Bay. It also keeps things refreshingly small, with a max of 5 people.

I love that the horses are matched to your experience, and that the Icelandic tölt gait can feel smoother than you expect on rugged ground. I also like the “try again” safety net, because the free return ticket matters when fog or whales just do not show up. One drawback to plan for is that wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, so keep an open space in your schedule.

Key things to plan around

• Max 5 people means more personal attention on the horses and less waiting around
• Tölt gait is the secret to a smoother ride, even if the terrain gets dramatic
• Helmets, boots, and rainwear are included, so you travel lighter
• High-speed boat ride to feeding grounds (about 20 to 30 minutes) gives you more time searching
• Complimentary ticket if no whales or dolphins helps protect your budget and your time
• Weather can shift plans since the tour runs in a variety of conditions and sometimes whale spotting gets tough

Two tours, one smooth day from Reykjavik

This is a smart way to pack Iceland into a half workday without feeling rushed in the wrong direction. You start outside Reykjavik at a real riding center, then you head back into town for Old Harbor and a high-speed whale watching run.

The schedule is built for flow: horse riding first, then lunch time, then the boat. If you are the type who hates “waiting for the tour bus” time, this format usually feels efficient.

Reykjavik pickup and the short hop to Íshestar stables

You begin with a pickup from your Reykjavik hotel and head to Íshestar Horse Riding Centre, just outside the city. The meeting point for those who meet there directly is Sörlaskeið 26, 220 Hafnarfjörður, Iceland, with a 10:00 am start time.

What I like here is the simplicity. You are not trying to solve two separate transport puzzles on your own, and the ride out gives you an easy on-ramp to the day. You also learn about the Icelandic horse, including the fact that the breed traces back to horses brought to Iceland around the 10th century.

Possible consideration: if you add or change hotel transfers, you need to confirm details with the operator directly. Some people find the setup slightly confusing when more than one provider is involved, so double-check your exact pickup and return arrangements.

Icelandic horses and safety: what happens before you ride

At the stables, you get fitted with the gear you need. Your helmet is provided, and you are given rubber boots plus rainwear or warm clothing for the ride. The tour also includes a safety briefing before you head out.

This is where the small-group size matters. Guides can pace the instruction to the real people in front of them, not to some generic class size. In past experiences with this kind of tour format, I always look for signs that the staff genuinely watches riders move, not just talks at them, and the consistent feedback here is that they do.

Riding experience levels also get treated seriously. Guides split riders into groups based on ability, and you may start at a steadier walk before the groups go in different paces. One review even notes a staff member hand-walking a horse for a child who was scared, which tells you they try hard to keep things safe and calm.

The tölt gait on lava trails, remote moorland, and photo stops

Once you are mounted, you follow your experienced guide out from the stables. The big Icelandic-horse selling point is the tölt, a four-beat gait that can feel smoother over rocky terrain than a typical trot.

In plain terms, this matters because it changes what you feel in your body. When you ride comfortably, you notice more. You can look around. You can shoot photos. You can actually enjoy Iceland without your calves begging for mercy.

You will also stop for photos along the way. Expect lava-covered scenery and trails that wind through remote moorland and fields. This is the part of the day that feels distinctly Iceland, not just touristy. One of the most repeated joys in feedback is the combination of lava scenery plus horse time plus the guide pointing out the landscape and horse details as you go.

A small caution if you are nervous: the reviews point out that guides work to put uneasy riders at ease. Still, if you are very anxious around horses, it helps to arrive with patience and a calm mindset, because even a well-run ride has real animals and real movement.

From horse tack to Old Harbor: lunch break and boat transition

After about 2.5 hours on horseback, you return to the stables. Then you transfer to Reykjavik Old Harbor for whale watching.

You get free time for lunch, but it is on your own expense. This is useful because you can choose what fits you instead of forcing everyone into one set meal. If you want a quick, warm bite, aim for something easy to eat and drink, since you will later be suited up for the water.

Then comes the boat portion. You board a hi-tech high-speed vessel designed to get you out to the feeding grounds quickly, roughly 20 to 30 minutes.

If you picked a tour that includes an optional hotel drop-off after the whale watch, that usually happens at the end. Otherwise, the tour ends back at the meeting point.

Faxaflói Bay whale watching: what to expect on the boat

On the boat, you put on warm coveralls and settle in either on deck or inside the indoor cabin. The vessel includes onboard Wi-Fi, which is a nice touch if you want to message family or just keep your phone from turning into a frozen brick.

As you speed into Faxaflói Bay, you get commentary. The purpose is simple: help you spot what you came for and understand what you are seeing. That matters because wildlife at sea is easy to miss if you are just staring at waves.

Common species in the bay include minke whales, humpback whales, harbour porpoises, and white-beaked dolphins. In good conditions, people have reported humpback sightings very close to the boat, including animals flapping or swimming near the vessel.

You might also hear additional explanations from the captain. One account highlights a captain talk about whale size using skeletal parts on board, plus guidance on staying respectful of the animals, like backing off if whales signal stress through tail flapping. Even when the exact behavior is a little unclear to you, the key is that the crew is thinking about animal welfare and distance.

Weather odds, fog, and the free try-again ticket

Here is the honest truth: wildlife is wild. You are operating in ocean conditions, and whales do not check timetables.

The tour specifically notes that sightings cannot be guaranteed. If you do not see whales or dolphins on your whale watching trip, you receive a complimentary ticket to try again on the next available day. That is a genuinely valuable safety net, especially because boat time and whale-search time depend on weather.

What you should know from real feedback is that fog can make spotting harder, and sometimes whale watching can get canceled. One person described whale watching being canceled and not having received notice, which is frustrating. So, I would treat this as a “flexible day,” not a locked-in must-see.

Practical move: if your schedule has other tours, keep the rest of your day adaptable. At minimum, make sure you are not stacking a whale watch with something that cannot shift.

Included gear, included warmth, and the stuff you still pay for

This combo is good value partly because it reduces your gear hassle.

Included for the horse ride:

• Helmet
• Rubber boots
• Rainwear or warm clothing during the ride
• Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate after the horse portion

Included for the whale watch:

• Warm overalls
• Onboard Wi-Fi
• Complimentary ticket to try again if nothing is seen

Not included:

• Food and drinks, unless otherwise stated
• Hotel transfers (available for an additional fee, confirmed by contacting the supplier directly)

One more practical note: even when coveralls help, you still need to wear layers under them. If the day is cold enough to make you grumpy, it is cold enough to affect your comfort and your spotting.

Price and value: $233 for two activities that can be hard to line up

At $233.08 per person for about 5.5 hours, this is not “cheap Iceland.” But it is not random-expense tourism either.

You are paying for three things at once:

• Guided Icelandic horse riding with real tack and a structured route (plus post-ride hot drinks)
• A fast boat ride out of Old Harbor, with warmth provided and a crew focused on finding marine wildlife
• A built-in risk reducer for whale watching via the free try-again ticket

If you booked separately, you would likely spend similar money on transport plus two separate guide operations. Here you at least get one combined day plan with gear taken care of.

Where value really shows up for me is with the included comfort items. Helmet and boots for the horses, warm overalls for the boat, plus hot drinks after riding, all reduce what you would otherwise buy or rent.

Also, small-group handling is part of the value. A max of 5 people means your guide can actually watch riders, not just run a checklist.

Who should book this horse and whale combo

This tour fits best if you want variety and you like having a guide do the hard parts.

You will likely enjoy it if:

• You want a unique Iceland experience that is not just driving between waterfalls
• You are curious about Icelandic horses and the tölt gait
• You want a good chance at spotting whales without having to self-plan a boat hunt
• You prefer a small group pace over crowded big-van tours
• You want someone to handle the timeline, including the transition from stables to Old Harbor

It may not be ideal if:

• Your schedule cannot absorb weather delays, especially for whale watching
• You are extremely sensitive to not-guaranteed sightings and would rather book only land-based activities
• You dislike any chance of cancellation or rescheduling of the marine portion, even with the try-again ticket

My honest call on booking

I would book this if you want a memorable day and you are flexible about the sea part. The small group size, the included riding gear, and the “free return if nothing is seen” option make it a practical choice, not just a fun impulse buy.

But I would plan it early enough in your Iceland trip that you can use the free try-again ticket if you need it. And I would keep your day around the tour light on other fixed commitments. When whales show up, this combo can feel like two best-of-Iceland moments stacked back to back.

FAQ

Is this tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

How long is the Icelandic horse riding and whale watching tour?

The duration is approximately 5 hours 30 minutes.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Íshestar Horse Riding Centre, Sörlaskeið 26, 220 Hafnarfjörður, Iceland.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 10:00 am.

What is the age limit for horse riding?

The age limit to ride is 7 years old.

Is there a weight limit for the horses?

Yes. The weight limit is 110 kg / 240 lbs.

Do I need to arrange hotel transfers?

Hotel pick up and drop-off are not included by default. Hotel transfers are available for an additional fee, and you need to contact the supplier directly to confirm details.

What if there are no whale or dolphin sightings?

Sightings cannot be guaranteed. If you don’t see whales or dolphins on your whale watching tour, you receive a complimentary ticket to try again.